Sharia Law forbids an individual to benefit from the giving or receiving of financial interest.

However, some fans pointed out the Senegalese striker was happy to don a shirt sponsored Virgin Money last season.

The 28-year-old did not leave to train with other members of the squad in Portugal this week in a move which has raised serious questions about his future at the club. It is feared he is attempting to engineer a move, however, many other fans have been supportive of the player.

Abu-Tabaye, project manager with the Islamic Diversity Centre North East, has spoken out about the row. He stressed Muslims could not be grouped together and that some could be considered more strict. He said: “There is not one group of Muslims, it is a very diverse group.

“Some are practicing of their faith more than others.”

While he said interest of any kind was not allowed according to Islam, he added Cisse may be objecting for personal reasons against Wonga as a company.

He said: “From an Islamic point of view it is very clear that interest is forbidden, both to receive and to give. It is completely prohibited.” Abu said it is understandable people who saw a double standard in Cisse agreeing to wear a Virgin Money-sponsored shirt and refusing to wear one with a Wonga logo. He said: “The real, truly practicing Muslim would object to any of those sponsorships and promoting something which goes against their beliefs.”

Other Muslim members of the squad, such as Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote, may have a “different understanding” or interpretation of Islamic law to Cisse’s.

Abu also said honouring a contract was extremely important to practicing Muslims, and that if Cisse has signed an agreement he may be contractually obliged to wear the shirt. But he said an agreement could be struck between club and player.

“A Muslim has to honour his contract and it is a major thing to break a contract or to not honour a contract,” he said. “There has to be some sort of compromise if there is a compromise to be made.”